Devv-2018-Loving life in the dirt

Devv · May 17, 2019

Sugar Rush Creams, no heat but a nice snacking/salad pepper.

Aji Amarillos

What the heck?

Devv · May 17, 2019

So far the only "true" growdown plant. The others will be just cool to grow.

Large Orange Thai. They never let you down. LB's go to cooking pepper...

Paul's Purples, they love it here. And that's a good thing.

Something is chomping on this one. My guess is a pack rat. Some of those branches are right around pencil size. traps go out in the morning.

Zapotec Jals

Group shot. I'm having some nute issues. I suspect high PH. Note the plants in the far left that are kinda yellow, and scrubby looking. Soil test after I pull the plants.

BigCedar · May 17, 2019

Hey Scott! Wow things have taken off since the last time I stopped by good lord man! The maters and peppers are going absolutely nuts. Jealous of your poddage those babies are loaded!! Man I am so jealous! Too cool that you have some natural hives on the property, we have 3 not so natural hives we keep on our property. They're honeybees I'm assuming that you have hanging around? Being down in Texas there's gotta be a good chance they have killer/african genetics to some extent eh? I know some people down in AZ that swear by keeping killer bees instead of the more gentle Italians and Carnolians, reason is that the Africanized bees make honey twice as fast and because of they're aggression rarely lose their homes to intruders or robbing bees. Interesting for sure. Would love to see a picture of the all natural hives if you ever think about it! Well good luck with juggling all of life's to do's I feel ya, I wish I had more time on my hands. I'm a little over half your age, full time since 15, I use to sacrifice sleep to get more accomplished, every year that I get older that trick works less and less. Need my sleep these days! Fantastic work on all accounts!

:cheers:

Devv · May 17, 2019

BigCedar said:
Hey Scott! Wow things have taken off since the last time I stopped by good lord man! The maters and peppers are going absolutely nuts. Jealous of your poddage those babies are loaded!! Man I am so jealous! Too cool that you have some natural hives on the property, we have 3 not so natural hives we keep on our property. They're honeybees I'm assuming that you have hanging around? Being down in Texas there's gotta be a good chance they have killer/african genetics to some extent eh? I know some people down in AZ that swear by keeping killer bees instead of the more gentle Italians and Carnolians, reason is that the Africanized bees make honey twice as fast and because of they're aggression rarely lose their homes to intruders or robbing bees. Interesting for sure. Would love to see a picture of the all natural hives if you ever think about it! Well good luck with juggling all of life's to do's I feel ya, I wish I had more time on my hands. I'm a little over half your age, full time since 15, I use to sacrifice sleep to get more accomplished, every year that I get older that trick works less and less. Need my sleep these days! Fantastic work on all accounts!

Thanks Brandon! The bees are not aggressive, so far. And I don't bother them so they don't bother me. I'll get some pics, but they live in voids of the Live Oak trees, so I can only shoot the openings..

You mention sleep. That is so important. I strive for 8 hours. I feel the worst thing for me was the last 19 years at a desk, where before, until age 41, I was in a very physical profession. So 5 days a week I rehab the old body, you'll understand that soon

900 crunches, as many push-ups as the bad shoulder can handle, the list goes on. One has to keep moving and never stop!

stickman · May 17, 2019

Hi Scott, How they hangin'? It looks like you've got a pretty good handle on this year's season. How's your soil amendment project going? It's still too cold to plant out here but we'll get there in the end. Take care!

Orekoc · May 17, 2019

Military retirement. My dad retired from the Air Force and went to work for the State of Oregon. When he became disabled, his military disability was subtracted from his Air Force retirement, so the amount received stayed the same till his disability amount exceeded his retirement amount. If he'd gone to work for the feds (or PO) after retiring, he would have gotten both. Don't know if that has been changed, but something to think about.

BigCedar · May 17, 2019

Devv said:
Thanks Brandon! The bees are not aggressive, so far. And I don't bother them so they don't bother me. I'll get some pics, but they live in voids of the Live Oak trees, so I can only shoot the openings..

You mention sleep. That is so important. I strive for 8 hours. I feel the worst thing for me was the last 19 years at a desk, where before, until age 41, I was in a very physical profession. So 5 days a week I rehab the old body, you'll understand that soon 900 crunches, as many push-ups as the bad shoulder can handle, the list goes on. One has to keep moving and never stop!

That is too cool on the bees! That is a good rule of thumb, with any bee. Just leave the damn things alone and especially their house! After bee keeping for a couple years now I've learned how misunderstood they are. We have a wasp nest on the peak of our house that has been there since we moved in 2 years back, keeps getting bigger and bigger. I say hi to them as I walk by each morning. They don't bother anyone, I've worked on our windows 2 feet from the nest and they could have cared less. Cool creatures.

Ah man, that'll do it! I couldn't do a desk job. I had opportunities to go to college and get into engineering and make some big bucks ( I was pretty damn good at math, hated it, but good ) Anyway, I chose to work at my Dads fruit stand he had started 30 years back that has now turned into 3 successful stores. I run one of them now, it's a very physical but fun job, appealed a lot more to me than a computer screen. I rarely sit down during a normal 10 hour shift, normally eat lunch while I work. I'm not getting rich but I come home smiling most days. Wouldn't change a thing. My 85 year old grandma who has cattle farmed her whole life always tells me, don't ever stop moving, that's when you lock up and break down! I've never forgotten that!

Devv · May 17, 2019

stickman said:
Hi Scott, How they hangin'? It looks like you've got a pretty good handle on this year's season. How's your soil amendment project going? It's still too cold to plant out here but we'll get there in the end. Take care!

Hey Rick! Good to see you! I'm missing your glog this season. But I understand, life is so darned busy. As you can see I just rolled from 2018..LOL

As for the soil, after 40"s of rain I fear most of my work went into leachland last fall. I added pretty much the same as last year and will do the soil test after I pull things in July. I'm sure the PH is still way too high. For the most part I only use the rain water we collect. Cool thing is the 1,000 gallon tank has never run dry since we set it up.

Wishing you a killer garden this year!

Devv · May 17, 2019

Orekoc said:
Military retirement. My dad retired from the Air Force and went to work for the State of Oregon. When he became disabled, his military disability was subtracted from his Air Force retirement, so the amount received stayed the same till his disability amount exceeded his retirement amount. If he'd gone to work for the feds (or PO) after retiring, he would have gotten both. Don't know if that has been changed, but something to think about.

I'm not ex military, but quite a few in my family are. My brother went from the Navy into air traffic when Reagan fired a ton of them way back when. He did really well with his retirement, which was mandatory before he hit 56. Six figures 'haint bad!

My retirement will be 20 years of Texas school system (46% of 5 year highest earnings). Being most if all Texas school systems opt out of Social Security deductions, because of the matching costs, many retirees do not qualify for SS. I will however get 75% because out of 32 years of SS contributions 27 years are what they call substantial earnings. I got the extra few years because I had a business my wife ran and was paid from it, after I started with the school system.

So for your Dad. No monies from the state?

Devv · May 17, 2019

BigCedar said:
That is too cool on the bees! That is a good rule of thumb, with any bee. Just leave the damn things alone and especially their house! After bee keeping for a couple years now I've learned how misunderstood they are. We have a wasp nest on the peak of our house that has been there since we moved in 2 years back, keeps getting bigger and bigger. I say hi to them as I walk by each morning. They don't bother anyone, I've worked on our windows 2 feet from the nest and they could have cared less. Cool creatures.

Ah man, that'll do it! I couldn't do a desk job. I had opportunities to go to college and get into engineering and make some big bucks ( I was pretty damn good at math, hated it, but good ) Anyway, I chose to work at my Dads fruit stand he had started 30 years back that has now turned into 3 successful stores. I run one of them now, it's a very physical but fun job, appealed a lot more to me than a computer screen. I rarely sit down during a normal 10 hour shift, normally eat lunch while I work. I'm not getting rich but I come home smiling most days. Wouldn't change a thing. My 85 year old grandma who has cattle farmed her whole life always tells me, don't ever stop moving, that's when you lock up and break down! I've never forgotten that!

You know, I've been fortunate, very fortunate. For someone with no college, I was able to get into two professions that now require the formal education. Pretty much I've been able to do as I please, profession wise.

So by all means, do what makes you happy. I tell that to younger people. Find out what you love to do and pursue it. The $$ will follow. If not regroup and move on.

I said the same about a desk job until I was in my 40's. I looked around at the technicians that were 10 years older and they were obviously hurting. The profession was hurting them, and me. The shop was hitting 117° during the summer. I was a drivabilty/electrician tech. Pretty much I worked on the complex electrical systems. Many days I spent working on the hot engines (230°). I welcomed the work inside an AC environment. I was OK until around year 15, then I noticed I needed to do more. And I do.

Once I retire I plan to hit the school bleachers, and the weight bench. I'm 6'-3" and 190-195. I want that 210 no fat all muscle back, before I get too old..LOL And I WILL do it!

Orekoc · May 17, 2019

My brother worked for the feds for years, so when he retired, he took a job as a security guard to get in his last few quarters to get SS along with his fed retirement.

Yes, dad did have a state retirement, but it was a pitance. It was when his miltary disability hit 100% that he actually got a decent retirement amount of money. Not sure how it works, but as long as mom doesn't remarry, she gets it to, I think.

Devv said:
I'm not ex military, but quite a few in my family are. My brother went from the Navy into air traffic when Reagan fired a ton of them way back when. He did really well with his retirement, which was mandatory before he hit 56. Six figures 'haint bad!

My retirement will be 20 years of Texas school system (46% of 5 year highest earnings). Being most if all Texas school systems opt out of Social Security deductions, because of the matching costs, many retirees do not qualify for SS. I will however get 75% because out of 32 years of SS contributions 27 years are what they call substantial earnings. I got the extra few years because I had a business my wife ran and was paid from it, after I started with the school system.

So for your Dad. No monies from the state?

Bhuter · May 17, 2019

Devv said:
The garden:

Maters gone wild. I cut them back once, and will again tomorrow. Hornworms out the wazoo this year. 30 plus squished so far.

Strange looking spidy has a treat lined up..

OK, made it to where I was blown out earlier. Here's some pinks for you Adam!

HOLY BLANKETY-BLANK-BLANK!!!! The maters are huge!! Beautiful plants, EVERYWHERE!!!

Things look amazingly, Scott. :clap:

I'm so glad the Pinks are rockin' for ya! Way better looking fruits than my juglone maters. Lol

:woohoo:

Sinn · May 17, 2019

Devv said:
You know, I've been fortunate, very fortunate. For someone with no college, I was able to get into two professions that now require the formal education. Pretty much I've been able to do as I please, profession wise.

So by all means, do what makes you happy. I tell that to younger people. Find out what you love to do and pursue it. The $$ will follow. If not regroup and move on.

I said the same about a desk job until I was in my 40's. I looked around at the technicians that were 10 years older and they were obviously hurting. The profession was hurting them, and me. The shop was hitting 117° during the summer. I was a drivabilty/electrician tech. Pretty much I worked on the complex electrical systems. Many days I spent working on the hot engines (230°). I welcomed the work inside an AC environment. I was OK until around year 15, then I noticed I needed to do more. And I do.

Once I retire I plan to hit the school bleachers, and the weight bench. I'm 6'-3" and 190-195. I want that 210 no fat all muscle back, before I get too old..LOL And I WILL do it!

YOU CAN DO IT!! [emoji123]

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PtMD989 · May 17, 2019

Hey Devv, how long do you let the garlic dry before you can use it?
After you retire, you could workout with TrentL [emoji16] JK.

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stickman · May 17, 2019

Devv said:
Yeah, between work, home and family there's lots going on here too. Not enough hours in a day to maintain a glog this year. At least I can report that I'm bringing my soil pH down... last year the garden pH was 7.7 and this spring it's 7.5

Good luck to you too!

PaulG · May 18, 2019

Devv said:
So no pics lately, my bad. I didn't start a new glog this year because I knew it was, is going to be a crazy year. I can retire in October, but may go to January...probably. I have a lot to do before then. I flip between yard work, the garden, and the house addition. and I have to go to work...sigh. That really gets in the way of things. That and I try to keep up with the fantastic glogs going on, and just can't. I hear that, buddy. I go away from your glog for a couple of days and have 45 minutes worth of reading to do!

stc3248 said:
I'm on that retirement train this year too...at least from the Navy so I know the struggle. Pace yourself, but we're gonna hold you to the weekend update!

Orekoc said:
I retired at 59.5. Just me, kinda tight dollar wise, but worth it. House paid off, car paid off, CC paid off, well till my car and truck both had several thousand dollars each in repairs, but almost paid off again.

Enjoy.

Welcome to the land of retirement, fellas! I did the early
retirement thing from the school district I worked for, then
went and taught at the college level for 9 years. That was
great. I worked about 20% of the time I did as a school
teacher, and made about 45% of my school salary by
working at three different places. One does what one
needs to do!

Now I am fully disengaged, and no looking back!

stickman said:
Yeah, between work, home and family there's lots going on here too. Not enough hours in a day to maintain a glog this year. At least I can report that I'm bringing my soil pH down... last year the garden pH was 7.7 and this spring it's 7.5

Good luck to you too!

Rickster! I have missed you, my friend. I know you
have all kinds of awesomeness that we all want to
see in your garden.

I took your 'advice' from a couple of seasons ago
and started adding a Silica fert to my routine. I can
really see the difference, so thanks for doing that
research, Buddy!!

Keep the faith, my friend!

PtMD989 · May 18, 2019

Hey Devv,How’s the weather down there ? I just got an notice on my phone that Texas was getting some weather. [emoji15]

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Devv · May 18, 2019

Bhuter said:
HOLY BLANKETY-BLANK-BLANK!!!! The maters are huge!! Beautiful plants, EVERYWHERE!!!

Things look amazingly, Scott. I'm so glad the Pinks are rockin' for ya! Way better looking fruits than my juglone maters. Lol

Thanks Adam,

And thanks for the seeds! So far the weather has been a bit cooler this season and that's really helped. That and I did an early start, and will again next year

Warmer weather (90's) is in the forecast so pod setting will soon slow down. I'm just tickled I got some chinense this year :dance:

Devv · May 18, 2019

Sinn said:
YOU CAN DO IT!! [emoji123]

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Oh...I will. Looking good naked is a good thing...

Did I say that? :rofl:

Devv · May 18, 2019

PtMD989 said:
Hey Devv, how long do you let the garlic dry before you can use it?
After you retire, you could workout with TrentL [emoji16] JK.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Actually you can use it as soon as you pull it if you need too. But to cure it for storage, it takes a few weeks. I like to clip the tops when they dry some and then again when they are completely dry. This way we can chunk them in a wicker basket and they will not rot because they are dry enough to touch one another. We just ran out of last years, so the timing is good!

As for working with Trent.... first he needs to move to Tejas

Then he would love my work ethic, it's quite similar to his...but he's got age on his side..